Wayne Northrop, best known for his roles in soap operas “Dynasty” and “Days of Our Lives,” has died at 77 years old.
The actor died on Nov. 29 at the assisted living Motion Picture and Television Woodland Hills Home in Los Angeles, California, his publicist Cynthia Snyder told The Epoch Times.
In a follow-up statement, his wife, Lynn Herring Northrop, said he was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s six years ago, before praising him as the loving husband, father, and friend that he was.
“He took his last breath in the arms of his family. We wish to thank the most caring and amazing place, The Motion Picture and Television Home for taking such great care of him,” she said.
“Wayne touched so many people with his sense of humor and wit. A husband for 43 years, the best dad ever to his two boys, Hank and Grady, and a rancher who loved his cows and was a friend to many.”
Early Career
Born in 1947 in the small town of Sumner, Washington, Northrop graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Washington, before enrolling in acting classes at Seattle Community College.
Following positive feedback, Northrop decided to pursue acting seriously, and in 1975, he joined the newly formed Los Angeles Actors’ Theatre headed by Ralph Waite, garnering his first agent as a result.
This led to his television debut a short while later in an episode of “Police Story,” and later made his mark in Hollywood on numerous shows across major networks.
Northrop held roles on CBS’s “The Waltons,” ABC’s “Baretta,” “Eight is Enough,” “The Young Riders,” “Testimony of Two Men,” and NBC’s “Beggerman, Thief.”
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Northrop was best known for his role as Roman Brady on “Days of Our Lives.” He rejoined the cast in 2005 as a different character, making over 1,000 appearances during his time on the show.
He also played chauffeur Michael Culhane on the first season of “Dynasty” in 1981 before reprising the part 5 years later in Season 7, as well as the character “Rex Stanton” on “Port Charles” in 1997.
His other television credits include “Hotel,” “Cold Case,” and “L.A. Law.”
Northrop married actress and “General Hospital” star Lynn Herring in 1981. Post-acting, the couple has spent the last 35 years running and working on a cattle ranch in Raymond, California, staying true to their shared passion for wildlife and conservation efforts.
In 2008, the two purchased the oldest home in town, turning it into a local museum and historical site for tourists to visit.
